The Denver Broncos announced plans yesterday to build a new state-of-the-art stadium in the city, ending years of speculation about the future of the team's home.

Why it matters: The stadium will become the city's centerpiece and make Denver a contender for major events like the Super Bowl, March Madness Final Four and concerts.

Driving the news: The Broncos prefer a new stadium at state-owned, 58-acre Burnham Yard, a historic former railyard, where the team recently began acquiring property.

• The stadium is expected to include a retractable roof to accommodate events in inclement weather.

The intrigue: The team's ownership group, led by the Walton family, says it will privately finance the stadium and a neighboring entertainment district.

• The cost is unclear but it is expected to reach $4 billion, the Denver Post reports.

What they're saying: "The Broncos have been, since Day 1 of the franchise, an important fabric and part of the community in Denver," Broncos CEO and owner Greg Penner told the paper.

• "Finding a site of that size that we could weave into the downtown area and all that just was incredibly unique, combined with the historic nature of the site."

Between the lines: Other locations in the outer ring of the metro area, including Lone Tree and Douglas County, were considered.

Zoom in: The 80-acre Empower Field at Mile High and adjacent parking lots will revert to the city's possession once the team's lease ends in 2030.

• Denver officials will begin planning next year for its redevelopment into a neighborhood with new housing and parks.

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🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

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Colorado Startup Week in Downtown Denver Sept. 16-18: Join the biggest names in the Colorado startup community as more than 10,000 founders, investors, creatives, and change makers come together to learn, inspire and connect. With hundreds of sessions spanning topics from robotics to fundraising, this free, community-led event offers something for everyone who believes in building the future.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Republican state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer announced her bid for Colorado governor yesterday, entering a crowded race that favors Democrats.

Why it matters: The Brighton lawmaker, a moderate with a record of working across the political aisle, is the most prominent Republican to enter the 2026 race.

State of play: Kirkmeyer filed paperwork Monday and hosted a launch event last evening in Fort Lupton.

• In the GOP primary, she faces at least 15 other candidates, including two other lawmakers, Rep. Scott Bottoms of Colorado Springs and Sen. Mark Baisley of Woodland Park.

What she's saying: "That is why I am running for governor: to deliver results that improve people's lives, and to ensure Colorado's best days are ahead of us," Kirkmeyer said in a statement.

Zoom in: Kirkmeyer is a veteran politico. She served as a cabinet member in Colorado Gov. Bill Owens' administration and two decades as a Weld County commissioner before entering the state Legislature.

• At the Capitol, she is a member of the powerful legislative budget committee, putting her in a position to act as a constant antagonist to Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who is term-limited.
• She unsuccessfully ran twice for Congress, most recently in 2022, when she lost a contest for the 8th District north of Denver.

The fine print: Colorado last elected a Republican as governor in 2002, when Owens secured a second term.

Zoom out: Most attention in the governor's race will focus on the high-profile Democratic contest between U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser.

• Both candidates entered the race earlier this year and hold an advantage with fundraising sums that are expected to dwarf Republican rivals.

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⚖️ At least 10 laid-off Denver municipal workers have filed appeals to dispute their terminations, with allegations against Mayor Mike Johnston's administration ranging from discrimination to retaliation. (Denver Post 🔑)

🚩 The credibility of an Aurora police officer who fatally shot a man in late August was questioned in 2019 after a judge found he gave an "inconsistent" testimony involving a burglary case. Last month's incident remains under investigation. (9News)

The body of a 27-year-old man from Adams County was recovered by authorities after his car drove over the rim at Grand Canyon National Park. (Denver Post 🔑)

🍴 Two Colorado restaurants — Mezcaleria Alma in Denver and Bin 707 Foodbar in Grand Junction — made the New York Times 2025 list of America's 50 best restaurants. (Westword)

☕️ Drive Coffee will pay the Denver Broncos $350,000 over a 2024 video that billed the company as the team's "official coffee" without permission. (BusinessDen 🔑)

Gen Z — people ages 12 to 27 — made up 21% of Colorado's population in 2024, according to U.S. Census data.

Why it matters: Gen Z's rising wealth and spending levels are set to strongly influence the global economy, even as high costs and a tougher job market create financial strain, according to a recent Bank of America Institute analysis.

Between the lines: Businesses are already fighting for their wallets.

• Gen Z spends big, especially on retail and beauty, and it is more likely than older generations to try new brands, says Ellyn Briggs, senior brands analyst at Morning Consult.